🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Nicholas McCarthy
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 32min
- IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (67K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 42%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A kid is born at the same time a serial killer dies and, surprise, the kid gets serial killer DLC, but it’s buggy and makes him speak Hungarian.
🍿 The Prodigy: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Birth of Miles and a Killer’s Demise
The film begins with Margaret, a young woman escaping from her captor, Edward Scarka, a serial killer. Simultaneously, Sarah and John Blume are in labor with their son, Miles. As Scarka is fatally shot by police, Miles is born, seemingly connecting their fates. Over time, Miles exhibits unusual intelligence and disturbing behavior, indicating a possible supernatural influence.

Disturbing Behavior and a Dark Secret
As Miles grows, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic and violent. He displays a high pain tolerance, speaks Hungarian in his sleep, and exhibits cruelty towards animals and other children. Sarah becomes increasingly concerned, suspecting something is deeply wrong with her son. A babysitting incident where the babysitter is injured further fuels Sarah’s worries.

Seeking Answers: Reincarnation and Unfinished Business
Sarah consults with a psychologist and a reincarnation expert who suggest that Miles may be possessed by the soul of Edward Scarka. They believe Scarka’s unfinished business is the reason for his presence in Miles. Sarah is initially skeptical but begins to investigate Scarka’s past, discovering his crimes and his connection to Margaret, his last victim.

Desperate Measures and a Tragic Decision
As Miles’s behavior escalates, Sarah becomes desperate to save her son from Scarka’s influence. She tries therapy and hypnosis, but Scarka’s control strengthens. After a violent incident leaves John hospitalized, Sarah decides to take matters into her own hands, leading to a confrontation with Margaret.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Sarah Blume (Taylor Schilling): A mother torn between her love for her son and the terrifying realization that he may be possessed by an evil force.
- Miles Blume (Jackson Robert Scott): A gifted young boy whose body is inhabited by the malevolent soul of a deceased serial killer.
- Edward Scarka (Paul Fauteux): A deceased serial killer whose soul seeks to complete unfinished business through Miles’ body.
- John Blume (Peter Mooney): Miles’s father who struggles to understand and cope with his son’s increasingly disturbing behavior.
- Arthur Jacobson (Colm Feore): A reincarnation expert who tries to help Sarah understand and combat the evil possessing Miles.
- Margaret (Brittany Allen): A survivor of Edward Scarka who becomes the target of his reincarnated evil through Miles.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Miles: “Go f*ck yourself.” – Miles whispers this phrase in Hungarian in his sleep, startling his mother and hinting at the dark presence within him.
- Arthur Jacobson: “He has a separate personality in his head.” – Dr. Jacobson explains his theory about Miles having a separate personality residing in his head to Sarah.
- Sarah Blume: “You took my son’s soul… you can’t have his body” – Sarah says this in a desperate attempt to rescue Miles before she is shot.
- Miles: “She was going to kill me” – Miles pretends to be scared after Sarah is shot, deceiving the neighbor.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $6,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $14,856,291
- Worldwide Gross: $21,127,789
💥 The Prodigy Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this movie hoping for a chilling experience, and while it had its moments, it didn’t fully deliver. Jackson Robert Scott did a great job portraying the creepy kid, but I found the plot too predictable, specially the end. The dog scene was definitely disturbing, and the overall premise was intriguing, but it fell flat for me. I expected more twists and turns, and less jump scares. Overall, it was an okay watch.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological horror”
- “Viewers interested in themes of reincarnation and possession”
- “Those who enjoy films with unsettling child characters”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Disturbing images”
- “Child endangerment”
- “Strong language”
- “Gore”
Professional Reviews
- IMDB: “While ‘The Prodigy’ has some creepy moments and solid performances, it ultimately relies too heavily on jump scares and predictable plot devices. The movie has a good start, but it unravels by the end making it not a memorable experience.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Taylor Schilling gives a committed performance, but the predictable plot and reliance on jump scares undermine any genuine suspense. The film explores interesting themes but doesn’t fully deliver on its promise.
Audience Reactions
Jackson Robert Scott’s acting was phenomenal and genuinely creepy.: Most viewers praised Jackson Robert Scott’s performance as Miles, noting his ability to portray both innocence and malice effectively.
The premise was intriguing but the execution was not scary or suspenseful.: Many viewers felt the movie relied too heavily on predictable jump scares and did not explore the psychological horror aspects deeply enough.
Overall Consensus: The Prodigy had an interesting premise and benefited from a great child performance but suffered from a predictable plot, a reliance on jump scares, and a disappointing ending.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film explores the themes of reincarnation and the battle for control over one’s body, blending elements of psychological thriller and supernatural horror.”
- “Jackson Robert Scott, who plays Miles, previously starred as Georgie in the 2017 adaptation of ‘It,’ further cementing his place as a notable child actor in the horror genre.”
- “The Hungarian language and cultural elements in the film were carefully researched to add authenticity to the character of Edward Scarka and his connection to Miles.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Prodigy?
Currently, “The Prodigy” is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu, where you can rent or purchase the film. Check your local listings for cable or satellite options. Availability may vary by region, so be sure to confirm before trying to view.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Prodigy, you might like these similar films:
- The Omen (1976): Deals with similar themes of an evil child and supernatural horror, establishing a classic benchmark for the genre.
- Orphan (2009): Features a seemingly innocent child with a dark secret, creating a disturbing psychological thriller experience.
- Good Son (1993): Macaulay Culkin showcases his range as a chilling young sociopath, challenging perceptions and defying expectations.
- We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011): Explores a mother’s unsettling relationship with her son and the potential for inherent evil.
- Joshua (2007): A precocious young boy displays increasingly malevolent behavior, testing the limits of his family and societal norms.
🛒 The Prodigy Related Products
- Funko Pop! Movies: The Omen – Damien with Chair: A Funko Pop! figure capturing the essence of iconic horror films. It is a collectible figurine for fans of horror movies and collectors.
- Child’s Play (2019) [Blu-ray]: A modern take on the classic horror, this Blu-ray offers a new perspective on the killer doll trope.
- Horror Movie Character Socks: Variety of socks with popular horror characters that add a creepy element to everyday wear. Perfect as a gift or personal item.
- Googly Eyes – Self Adhesive Wiggle Eyes: This is something related to Miles with his heterochromia. This could be something cute for creative people to decorate crafts with, but some of the user reviews are hilarious.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Prodigy features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
No, ‘The Prodigy’ is a work of fiction, although it draws inspiration from themes of reincarnation, possession, and the ‘evil child’ trope found in horror.
Heterochromia is a condition where a person has different colored irises in each eye. In ‘The Prodigy’, it serves as a visual cue to Miles’s dual nature and connection to Edward Scarka, who also had the condition.
The Hungarian language is used to highlight the presence of Edward Scarka’s soul within Miles. Scarka spoke Hungarian, and Miles begins speaking the language spontaneously, indicating the increasing influence of the serial killer’s personality.
Viewers who enjoyed ‘The Prodigy’ might also like ‘The Omen,’ ‘Orphan,’ ‘Good Son,’ and ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin,’ as they explore similar themes of disturbing children and hidden evil.
🔥 Bonus Content
This boy is a monster 😳 | Movie title: The Prodigy | #movie #film
Whoa, this short clip from The Prodigy is intense! You’ve got to see this kid’s creepy behavior – it’s seriously unsettling and totally hooked me into wanting to know more.
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